WIRELESS COMMUNICATION ACCESSORY FOR A MOBILE DEVICE

摘要

A mobile device peripheral that incorporates a repeater antenna inside of a protective case for a mobile device to extend the range of short-range communications while minimizing interference caused by the thickness or materials of the protective case. The repeater antenna can be capable of receiving a wireless signal from an antenna in the mobile device and transmitting the same signal or an amplified version of the same signal. The repeater antenna can be capable of receiving a wireless signal from an external antenna and transmitting the same signal or an amplified version of the same signal to the mobile device. The mobile device peripheral can also include a battery that provides additional power the mobile device. Without a repeater antenna, the materials and/or thickness of the additional battery and/or the case can partially or completely block a short-range, low-frequency, or low-power communication signal such as Near Field Communication (NFC).

主权项

1. A method of transmitting a near field communication (NFC) signal from a mobile electronic device that is at least partially enclosed by a protective case, the method comprising:
providing a mobile electronic device that is at least partially enclosed by a protective case;
wherein the mobile electronic device comprises a battery and an antenna configured to transmit near field communication (NFC) signals;wherein the protective case comprises a supplemental battery configured to charge the mobile electronic device;wherein the protective case comprises a repeater antenna that includes a first antenna disposed on a first side of the supplemental battery, a second antenna disposed on a second side of the supplemental battery, and an electrical connection that electrically couples the first antenna to the second antenna; transmitting an NFC signal from the antenna of the mobile electronic device, wherein the supplemental battery is positioned to block or otherwise impede the NFC signal; receiving the NFC signal by the first antenna of the repeater antenna; relaying the NFC signal from the first antenna of the repeater antenna to the second antenna of the repeater antenna via the electrical connection; and re-transmitting the NFC signal from the second antenna of the repeater antenna.